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Andy Greene was three-quarters of the way through a day-long interview to become Mets manager in October when the conversation turned to other aspects of the industry.
The team's new head baseball coach, David Stearns, wanted to know how Green felt about the possibility of someday working in player development in the front office.
The 46-year-old former Padres manager didn't know he would be replaced as the Cubs' bench coach following the sudden firing of manager David Ross and the hiring of Craig Counsell, but he doesn't know where Stearns will go with his team. At that moment, I didn't understand what he was saying. I contacted them and they responded positively to my questions. Still, Green was there to discuss the manager's vacancy.
“That should have been a sign to say, 'Oh, maybe we have another role in mind.' [by Stearns] “We didn't discuss it further, but I remember the question that day,” Green said at the winter meeting in Nashville, Tennessee, this week.
After Carlos Mendoza took over as Mets manager and Ross was fired, Green remembered his conversation with Stearns and contacted him. As a result, Green was hired in November to oversee the Mets' player development.
This comes after Green spent four seasons as the Padres' manager and four seasons as the Cubs' bench coach. This will be Green's first foray into player development. He also served as a minor league manager and third base coach for the Diamondbacks after his playing career ended.
“I always knew I would end up in the front office someday,” Green said. “It wasn't something that was off my radar, but I've enjoyed being on a major league field for the past 10 years.”
Green is in charge of a farm system that has struggled to produce large numbers of major league players in recent seasons. Part of the flaw is in amateur scouting, but player development is also a factor.
Kevin Howard led the farm system for two years before being fired in September. The position was a revolving door in an organization that lacked stability at the top of the front office.
Green is tasked with overseeing the organization's minor league instructors to ensure the right messages get across to players.
“I've always thought leadership is about focusing on the people who work under you technically and give you a solid footing to do your job really well,” Green said.
“Anyone would be lying if they said they didn't miss certain aspects of the work they've done so far. But what I love is the impact. The ability to influence our coaches and influence our culture. The opportunity still exists to give and influence our processes. The fact that we have to do it [sweater] Not wearing a uniform is the big difference now.”
The Mets certainly have some promising talent, including players they acquired at the trade deadline last summer. Luis Angel Acuña, Drew Gilbert, Jett Williams, Kevin Parada, and Ryan Clifford are among the talents who could make an impact over the next couple of seasons.
“It's going to take a while to get a good feel for them,” Green said. “I think once you get out of spring training and you start seeing the players on the field, not just watching the video and reading the reports, the players come alive.”
Green's MLB career began with a stint in Japan, and he appeared in 136 games for the Diamondbacks over three seasons before transferring to the Mets in 2009. Green had four at-bats with the Mets during his stay, going 1-for-4 in five games. This raised his career batting average from .199 to .200 in what was his final appearance in the major leagues.
“I held that grade for many more years than Tony La Russa,” Green said of the Hall of Fame manager. “He's a career .199 hitter and I own him because of his time with the Mets. As a manager I'm about 2,700 wins behind him, but I have faith in him. [batting average]”
music city snoozer
The winter conference was a failure on many levels.
Even before the four-day event began, much of the buzz died down when it was revealed that Shohei Ohtani would not be choosing a contract.
Much of the excitement surrounding last year's meeting in San Diego revolved around Aaron Judge and whether he would return to the Yankees. The superstar outfielder did not reach an agreement until the final day of talks with the Yankees, but that did not prevent other matters from arising beforehand.
However, Ohtani's delay (as well as Yoshinobu Yamamoto's delay) froze the market, and big fish were still available even after the meeting closed. The Mets still have as many holes to fill as they did before.
The universal truth about these conferences was that attendees didn't like the venue. Nashville's Gaylord Opryland is a vast convention center (you'll be given a map at the front desk upon arrival; I call it the Biosphere), and you can spend four days without setting foot outside. it's simple.
Next year's Winter Meeting will be held in Dallas. The last time the Marlins participated was in 2011, when they held a press conference and announced they had signed Jose Reyes.
waiting for next year
Gary Cohen's candidacy for the Ford C. Frick Award (inducted into the broadcaster's Hall of Fame) will have to wait at least another year, by which time contemporary voices will be considered again. .
On Wednesday, longtime Red Sox radio voice Joe Castiglione was named the 2024 winner. Last year, Cohen was a nominee for the award, which went to Cubs radio voice Pat Hughes.
It's only a matter of time before Cohen is confirmed, but given the number of high-quality candidates on the ballot, it's no wonder he had to wait so long.
Among the players who didn't win this year are Joe Buck, Giants broadcasters Duane Kiper and Mike Krukow, and a nationally recognized star from a previous appearance on ESPN's “Sunday Night Baseball.” Dan Schulman, the famous voice of the Blue Jays, was also included.
Cohen is as prepared and knowledgeable about the game as anyone.